BRITISH STANDARD BS EN

10109-3:1996

Metallic materials —
Hardness test —
Part 3: Calibration of standardized
blocks to be used for Rockwell hardness
testing machines (scales A, B, C, D, E, F,
G, H, K, N, T)

The European Standard EN 10109-3:1994 has the status of a

British Standard

Product code 00636915

ICS 77.040.10
BS EN 10109-3:1996

Committees responsible for this

British Standard
The preparation of this British Standard was entrusted to Technical
Committee ISE/NFE/4, Mechanical testing of metals, upon which the following
bodies were represented:
AEA Technology
Aluminium Federation
British Non-Ferrous Metals Federation
British Railways Board
British Steel Industry
Copper Development Association
Department of Trade and Industry (National Measurement Accreditation
Service)
Department of Trade and Industry (National Physical Laboratory)
ERA Technology Ltd.
Electricity Association
GAMBICA (BEAMA Ltd.)
Institute of Materials
Light Metals Founders’ Association
Ministry of Defence
Society of British Aerospace Companies Ltd.
University College London
Welding Institute
The following bodies were also represented in the drafting of the standard,
through subcommittees and panels:
Department of Trade and Industry (National Engineering Laboratory)
Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders Ltd.

This British Standard, having

been prepared under the
direction of the Engineering
Sector Board, was published
under the authority of the
Standards Board and comes
into effect on
Amendments issued since publication
15 January 1996
Amd. No. Date Comments
© BSI 12-1998

The following BSI references

relate to the work on this
standard:
Committee reference ISE/NFE/4
Draft for comment 90/43829 DC

ISBN 0 580 25140 3

 BS EN 10109-3:1996

Contents
Page
Committees responsbile Inside front cover
National foreword ii
Foreword 2
Text of EN 10109-3 3
National annex NA (informative) Non-conflicting
national additions Inside back cover

© BSI 12-1998 i
BS EN 10109-3:1996

National foreword
This British Standard has been prepared by Technical Committee ISE/NFE/4. It
is identical with EN 10109-3 Metallic materials — Hardness test —
Part 3: Calibration of standardized blocks to be used for Rockwell hardness testing
machines (scales A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, K, N, T) drawn up by ECISS (European
Committee for Iron and Steel Standardization).
It supersedes BS 891:1989 and BS 4175:1989, which are withdrawn.
Cross-references
Publication referred to Corresponding British Standard
BS EN 10109 Metallic materials — Hardness test
EN 10109-1:1994 Part 1:1996 Rockwell test (scales A, B, C, D, E, F, H, K)
and Rockwell superficial test
(scales 15N, 30N, 45N, 15T, 30T and 45T)
EN 10109-2:1994 Part 2:1996 Verification of Rockwell hardness testing
machines (scales A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, K, N, T)
A British Standard does not purport to include all the necessary provisions of a
contract. Users of British Standards are responsible for their correct application.
Compliance with a British Standard does not of itself confer immunity
from legal obligations.

Summary of pages
This document comprises a front cover, an inside front cover, pages i and ii,
the EN title page, pages 2 to 8, an inside back cover and a back cover.
This standard has been updated (see copyright date) and may have had
amendments incorporated. This will be indicated in the amendment table on
the inside front cover.

ii © BSI 12-1998
EUROPEAN STANDARD EN 10109-3
NORME EUROPÉENNE
EUROPÄISCHE NORM October 1994

ICS 77.040.10

Descriptors: Metallurgical products, hardness tests, Rockwell superficial hardness, test equipment, standard measures, calibration

English version
Metallic materials — Hardness test —
Part 3: Calibration of standardized blocks to be used for
Rockwell hardness testing machines
(scales A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, K, N, T)

Matériaux métalliques — Essai de dureté — Metallische Werkstoffe — Härteprüfung —

Partie 3: Etalonnage des blocs de référence à Teil 3: Kalibrierung von
utiliser pour les machines d’essai de dureté Härtevergleichsplatten für die Prüfung von
Rockwell Härteprüfgeräten nach Rockwell
(échelles A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, K, N, T) (Skalen A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, K, N, T)

This European Standard was approved by CEN on 1994-10-19. CEN members

are bound to comply with the CEN/CENELEC Internal Regulations which
stipulate the conditions for giving this European Standard the status of a
national standard without any alteration.
Up-to-date lists and bibliographical references concerning such national
standards may be obtained on application to the Central Secretariat or to any
CEN member.
This European Standard exists in three official versions (English, French,
German). A version in any other language made by translation under the
responsibility of a CEN member into its own language and notified to the
Central Secretariat has the same status as the official versions.
CEN members are the national bodies of Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland,
France, Germany, Greece, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands,
Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and United Kingdom.

CEN
European Committee for Standardization
Comité Européen de Normalisation
Europäisches Komitee für Normung
Central Secretariat: rue de Stassart 36, B-1050 Brussels
© 1994 All rights of reproduction and communication in any form and by any means reserved in all
countries to CEN and its members.
Ref. No. EN 10109-3:1994 E
EN 10109-3:1994

Foreword Contents
This European Standard has been prepared by the Page
Technical Committee ECISS/TC 1A, Mechanical Foreword 2
and physical tests, the secretariat of which is held 0 Introduction 3
by AFNOR.
This European Standard shall be given the status of 1 Scope 3
a national standard, either by publication of an 2 Normative references 3
identical text or by endorsement, at the latest by 3 Manufacture of blocks 3
April 1995, and conflicting national standards shall 4 Standardizing machine 3
be withdrawn at the latest by April 1995.
5 Standardizing procedure 4
According to the CEN/CENELEC Internal
Regulations, the following countries are bound to 6 Number of indentations 5
implement this European Standard: Austria, 7 Uniformity of hardness 5
Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, 8 Marking 5
Greece, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, 9 Validity 5
Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden,
Switzerland and United Kingdom. Annex A (normative) Uniformity
of test blocks 6
Figure A.1 — Rockwell hardness
(scales A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, K) 6
Figure A.2 — Rockwell superficial
hardness (scales N and T) 7
Table 1 5

2 © BSI 12-1998
 EN 10109-3:1994

0 Introduction 3 Manufacture of blocks

The standard EN 10109 applies to metallic 3.1 The block shall be specially prepared and the
materials and comprises the following parts: attention of the manufacturer is drawn to the need
— Part 1: Metallic materials — Hardness test — to use a manufacturing process which will give the
Part 1: Rockwell test (scales A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, necessary homogeneity, stability of structure and
K) and Rockwell superficial test uniformity of hardness.
(scales 15N, 30N, 45N, 15T, 30T and 45T); 3.2 Each metal block to be standardized shall be of
— Part 2: Metallic materials — Hardness test — a thickness not less than 6 mm.
Part 2: Verification of Rockwell hardness testing 3.3 The standardized blocks shall be free of
machines (scales A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, K, N, T); magnetism. It is recommended that the
— Part 3: Metallic materials — Hardness test — manufacturer ensure that the blocks, if of steel,
Part 3: Calibration of standardized blocks to be have been demagnetized at the end of the
used for Rockwell hardness testing machines manufacturing process (before calibration).
(scales A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, K, N, T). 3.4 The maximum deviation in flatness of the
surfaces shall not exceed 0,010 mm. The bottom of
1 Scope the blocks shall not be convex.
This European Standard specifies a method for the The maximum error in parallelism shall not
calibration of standardized blocks to be used in exceed 0,020 mm/50 mm.
Rockwell hardness testing machines (scales A, B, C, 3.5 The test and lower surfaces shall be free from
D, E, F, G, H, K, N, T) for the indirect verification of damage such as notches, scratches, oxide layers, etc.
these machines, as described in EN 10109-2. which interfere with the measurement of the
The normative annex A shows the uniformity R
indentations. The surface roughness a shall not
requirements of the standardized blocks µ µ
exceed 0,3 m for the test surface and 0,8 m for the
diagrammatically. l
bottom surface: sampling length = 0,80 mm
(see ISO 468).
2 Normative references
3.6 To verify that no material is subsequently
This European Standard incorporates by dated or removed from the standardized block, its thickness
undated reference, provisions from other at the time of standardization shall be marked on it
publications. These normative references are cited to the nearest 0,1 mm, or an identifying mark shall
at the appropriate places in the text and the be made on the test surface (see clause 8).
publications are listed hereafter. For dated
references, subsequent amendments to or revisions 4 Standardizing machine
of any publications apply to this European Standard
4.1 In addition to fulfilling the general requirements
only when incorporated in it by amendment or
revision. For undated references the latest edition of specified in EN 10109-2, clause 3 , the standardizing
the publication referred to applies. machine shall also meet the requirements given
EN 10109-1, Metallic materials — Hardness test — in 4.2 .
Part 1: Rockwell test (scales A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, K)
4.2 The machine shall be verified directly. Direct
and Rockwell superficial test verification involves:
(scales 15N, 30N, 45N, 15T, 30T and 45T). — verification of the test force (see 4.2.1 );
EN 10109-2, Metallic materials — Hardness test — — verification of the indenter
Part 2: Verification of Rockwell hardness testing (see 4.2.2 and 4.2.3 );
machines (scales A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, K, N, T). — verification of the measuring device (see 4.2.4 ).
ISO 468, Surface roughness — Parameters, their F
values and general rules for specifying requirements. 4.2.1 The preliminary force o as defined in
EN 10109-1 shall be correct to within ± 0,2 % at the
ISO 6507-1, Metallic materials — Hardness test — initial application and after the additional force 1 F
Vickers test — Part 1: HV5 to HV100 . has been removed.
F
The total test force shall be correct to
within ± 0,1 % of the nominal test force defined in
EN 10109-1.

© BSI 12-1998 3
EN 10109-3:1994
4.2.2 The diamond cone indenter shall meet the
following requirements:
a) The diamond cone shall have a mean included
angle of 120° ± 0,10°. In each measured section
the included angle shall be 120° ± 0,17°.
The number of measured sections is as follows:
— at least eight axial section planes
equidistant from each other, when the
roundness of the cone is not measured;
or,
— two sections when the error in roundness of
the cone, adjacent to the blend, measured in a
section normal to the indenter axis, does not
exceed 0,004 mm. These sections shall be
situated at the positions of maximum and
minimum error in roundness.
The error of roundness is defined as the greatest
radial distance between any point on the conical
surface and the circumscribing circle.
Deviations from straightness of the generatrix of
the diamond cone, adjacent to the blend, shall
not exceed 0,0005 mm over a minimum length
of 0,40 mm.
b) The tip of the indenter is spherical. Its radius
is determined from single values, measured in
the axial section planes defined in 4.2.2 a). This
can be done by an actual intersection which is
laid between two segments of concentric circles.
The distance between the concentric circles shall
not be more than 0,002 mm. The single value is
the mean value of the two radii of the concentric
circles. Each single value shall be
within 0,200 mm ± 0,007 mm. The mean value of
at least eight single values shall be
within 0,200 mm ± 0,005 mm.
The surfaces of the cone and the spherical tip
shall blend in a truly tangential manner.
c) The inclination of the axis of the diamond cone
to the axis of the indenter holder (normal to the
seating surface) shall be within 0,3°.
d) Tests shall be made in accordance with the
procedure described in clause 5 , on a minimum of
the four following blocks:
Hardness about Scale
20 HRC
55 HRD
43 HR45N
92 HR15N
4 © BSI 12-1998
For each block the mean hardness value of three
indentations made using the indenter to be
verified, shall not differ from the mean hardness
value of the three indentations obtained with the
standardizing indenter by more than ± 0,4
Rockwell unit. The indentations with the
indenter to be verified and with the
standardizing indenter shall be carried out in
such a way that the indentations of both
indenters are in each case adjacent.
NOTE The standardizing indenter is the indenter or the
indenters being recognized as the reference indenter(s) at
national level.
4.2.3 The steel ball indenter shall meet the
requirements of EN 10109-2.
The diameter of the steel ball indenter (scales B, E,
F, G, H, K, T) when measured at no fewer than three
positions, shall not differ from the nominal diameter
by more than:
± 0,002 mm for the ball of diameter 1,5875 mm;
± 0,003 mm for the ball of diameter 3,175 mm.
The hardness of the steel ball shall be not less
than 850 HV 10, when determined in accordance
with ISO 6507-1, and applying the appropriate
correction for curvature.
4.2.4 The measuring device shall be capable of
measuring vertical displacements
within ± 0,0001 mm.
5 Standardizing procedure
5.1 The standardized blocks shall be calibrated in a
standardizing machine as described in clause 4 , at a
temperature of 23 °C ± 5 °C, using the general
procedure described in EN 10109-1.
5.2 The velocity of the indenter when reaching the
surface shall not exceed 1 mm/s.
5.3 Bring the indenter into contact with the test
surface and apply the preliminary test force Fo
without shock or vibration and without oscillation of
the test force. The duration of the preliminary test
force Fo shall be not less than 1 s nor greater
than 5 s.
5.4 Bring the measuring device to its datum position
and without shock, vibration or oscillation, increase
the force from Fo to F in not less than 2 s nor more
than 8 s. The duration of the total force F shall be
equal to 4 s ± 2 s.
5.5 The final reading shall be done not less than 3 s
nor more than 5 s after removing the additional test
force F1 .
 EN 10109-3:1994

6 Number of indentations 8 Marking

On each standardized block five indentations shall
be made uniformly distributed over the entire test
surface.
The arithmetic mean of the five hardness values
characterizes the hardness value of the block.
7 Uniformity of hardness
7.1 Let h1 , h2 , h3, h4, h5 be the values of the
measured permanent indentation depth arranged in
increasing order of magnitude.
The non-uniformity of the block under the
particular conditions of standardization is
characterized by:
h 5 – h1
and expressed in percent of h
where
h1 + h2 + h3 + h4 + h5
h =
5
7.2 The block is not sufficiently uniform in hardness
for standardization purposes unless the uniformity
satisfies the conditions given in Table 1.
Table 1
Rockwell
hardness scale
Maximum Permissible non-uniformity
h5 – h1
A 1,5 % h or 0,4 HRAa
B 3% h
C 1,5 % h
D 1,5 % h
E 3% h
F 3% h
G 3% h
H 3% h
K 3% h
N 2 % h or 0,6 HRNa
T 3 % h or 1,2 HRTa
a The greater of two values shall apply.
8.1 Each standardized block shall be marked with
the following:
a) arithmetic mean of the hardness values found
in the standardizing test, for example: 66,3 HRC;
b) name or mark of the supplier;
c) serial number;
d) name or mark of the standardizing authority;
e) thickness of the block or an identifying mark on
the test surface;
f) year of calibration.
8.2 Any mark put on the side of the block shall be
upright when the test surface is the upper face.
8.3 Each delivered standardized block shall be
accompanied by a document giving at least the
following information:
— the reference to this standard;
— the identity of the block;
— the year of manufacture;
— the arithmetic mean of the hardness values or
the value characterizing the non-uniformity of
the block.
9 Validity
The hardness block is only valid for the scale for
which it was calibrated and provided that the block
fulfils the requirements of clause 3 .
NOTE It is recommended to limit the duration of the
calibration validity to 5 years.

© BSI 12-1998 5
EN 10109-3:1994

Annex A (normative)
Uniformity of test blocks

Figure A.1 — Rockwell hardness (scales A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, K)

6 © BSI 12-1998
 EN 10109-3:1994

Figure A.2 — Rockwell superficial hardness (scales N and T)

© BSI 12-1998 7
8 blank
 BS EN 10109-3:1996

National annex NA (informative)

Non-conflicting national additions
NA.1 Monitoring the performance of standardizing machines
NA.1.1 Considerable importance is attached by the UK committee to routine monitoring of standardizing
machines used to calibrate hardness test blocks, and such a procedure has been the custom and practice in
the UK for many years. The UK view is that this is the only effective way of ensuring the accuracy and
consistency of hardness scales, particularly when more than one standardizing machine is used to calibrate
hardness test blocks.
NA.1.2 The accuracy and stability of the Rockwell scales defined by standardizing machines should be
monitored and intercompared with other standardizing machines in accordance with the following
procedure.
a) For superficial Rockwell scales, a minimum of two scales should be monitored, for example HR30N
and HR30T.
b) For conventional Rockwell scales, a minimum of two scales should be monitored, selected from HRA,
HRB and HRC.
c) A set of at least three monitoring blocks covering the range of the first scale, and three monitoring
blocks covering the range of the second scale, should be provided. The uniformity of hardness of each
monitoring block should conform to 7.2 of this standard.
d) Such monitoring blocks should be calibrated in accordance with the requirements of this standard on
a standardizing machine deemed to define the national scales of hardness. Where there is no such
national machine, but it is known that more than one standardizing machine is used within the nation,
then the monitoring blocks should be calibrated on at least two standardizing machines, and the results
compared to set an average hardness scale and suitable levels of uncertainty of measurement. Such
calibrations or comparisons of hardness test blocks used for monitoring the performance of
standardizing machines should be made at regular intervals not exceeding two years.
e) Periodic monitoring values for standardizing machines should be obtained from the mean of five
indentations made in each monitoring block, and periodic monitoring tests should be made at regular
intervals of not more than three months. The testing procedure should be in accordance with this
British Standard.
f) An assessment of the performance of the standardizing machine should be made from the recorded
monitoring values over a period of time and should show that a monitoring value is reproducible
within ± 0.5 scale units of the average of the monitoring values obtained for the block. The monitoring
values of a satisfactory standardizing machine should also be within the following number of scale units
of the mean national standard hardness value for the block:

HRN and HRT ± 1.0

HRA < 65 ± 1.0
HRA ≥ 65 ± 0.5
HRB < 60 ± 1.5
HRB ≥ 60 ± 1.0
HRC < 60 ± 1.0
HRC ≥ 60 ± 0.5
g) The result of periodic monitoring should be recorded to give evidence of the attained measurement
traceability and uncertainty, and plotted against a time base in order to illustrate any drift in the
performance of the standardizing machine.
h) A standardizing machine that conforms to the requirements of clause 4 may be used to calibrate
blocks in any of the scales given in Table 1 of EN 10109-1.
i) In order to set the lowet possible levels for uncertainty of measurement for calibrating in other scales,
it is desirable to carry out monitoring of the other scales, e.g. HR15N, HT15T, HR45N, HR45T, HRD,
etc. Such additional monitoring is recommended using one monitoring block per additional scale at a
hardness either in the mid range of the standard or in the mid range of the blocks calibrated.

© BSI 12-1998
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